Fence structure



March 4, 1952 1 MORRlS 2,588,147

FENCE STRUCTURE Filed Feb. ll, 1950 V fw/ /1 A /g NVENToR.' *fr lex/Q0@ M@ @QMLWJZ Patented Mar. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES OFFICE This invention relates to fence structures` and more particularly to a fence structure which is adapted to be set up on varying contour with equal facility.

It is frequentlydesirable to have a fence structure which can be moved from place to place andset up quickly and firmly without regard to the contour of the land. Fences of a flexible and portable character have heretofore been proposed but in general' they have not been entirely satisfactory. In many proposed fences of a iiexible character suitable for use on uneven terrain it is extremely diiiicult to install them over such terrain and maintain symmetry of outline With any degree of success. Moreover, in every case it is necessary to anchor at least one post in the ground at the end of each panel of such fences. In such fences as have been heretofore proposed the spaced relationship between horizontal fence rails varies with theangularity or uneveness of the terrain thus destroying the symmetry of the fence and making it less pleasing to the eye.

The fence structure of this invention is readily adaptable for erection on any terrain regardless of its unevenness and is at the same time readily portable to a certain extent. This fence structure may be installed with a minimum of eiort and expense. The fact that the fence posts next to the'corner posts are not anchored in the ground when the fence is installed makes it easy to move the fence vertically for mowing or weeding in the fence row as for example between an anchored corner post and an adjacent unanchored post.

In general, the fence structure of this invention comprises the combination of spaced apart anchor posts adapted to be firmly fastened to the ground, at least one intervening post between the spaced apart anchor posts and having a base member adapted to rest upon the surface of the ground, and a fence panel pivotally connected between each two adjacent posts for movement in a vertical plane. Preferably the fence panel is made up of an upper and lower railing member hinged to the posts and carrying spaced apart upright members removably mounted thereon.

The structure of this invention will be more clearly understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevation of a fence structure according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of a corner of fence structure according to this invention.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of a single fence panelv and postsaccording to this invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective View' of a segment of fence structure.

Figure 5 is a top plan View of a composite rail for use in connection with the invention.

Figure 6 is a top plan view of 1a second enibodiment of a composite rail.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated an anchoring post lil which is driven into the ground. An upper railing I I and a lower railing I2 are connected at one end to the anchoring post ID by hinges I3. The other end of the two railings II and I2 are hinged to a second post I5 which is not anchored in the ground but rests upon a ground plate IE. Upright members or palings Il are inserted in spaced apart openings IE in the upper railing II and in similar spaced apart openings I9 in the lower railing i2. A tapered pin 20 is inserted in a tapered hole 2i in the lower railing I2 and a corresponding tapered hole 22 in the upright member I'I. The upright member Il and railings II and I2 thereby form a complete removable fence panel hingedly attached to the posts.

The openings I3 and I9 in the upper and lower railings II and I2 may be cut into a solid'piece of wood as shown in Figure 3. They may also be formed by making up a composite railing of two pieces each of which has approximately one half of the opening inletted into it as shown in Figure 5. A similar structure is shown in Figure 6 in which the opening is inletted into but one piece of the two piece composite rail. These openings I8 and I9 are preferably made slightly longer than the width of the upright member I'I as shown in Figure 4 to permit the upright member to rest therein at an angle other than perpendicular. Preferably the openings I8 and I9 are made to t iirmly upon the side of the uprights I'I.

The erection and removal of the fence can be facilitated by using a hinge I3 having a removable pintle ISa.

The arrangement of railings and upright members in which the upright is pivoted in the lower railing but not in the upper railing permits the fence to be more symmetrically arranged than is the case where the upright members are pivoted to both upper and lower railings. Where the upright members are pivoted to both railings the two railings approach each other as the angularity of ,the fence slopes either upwardly or downwardly thereby destroying the general symmetrical appearance of the fence and making it less pleasing in appearance by reason of the change of spacing between the rails with changes in terrain.

In a preferred form of installation all corner posts are anchored in the ground and each adjacent post rests on a ground plate so as to be unanchored. All other posts in the fence structure are anchored in the ground thereby making a very rigid installation yet permitting clear mowing or weeding in and around the fence corners.

It is readily apparent from the above description and the drawings that the fence structure of this invention is quickly and easily assembled on a surface of relatively rough contour without special tools or equipment. This fence structure is simple, easily fabricated and therefore inexpensive and fulfills a long-felt need for a quickly and easily erected fence of great flexibility and strength.

While there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of this invention it will be understood that it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a fence structure, the combination of spaced apart anchor posts adapted to be i'lrmly fastened to the ground, at least one intervening post between the spaced apart anchor posts and having a base member adapted to rest upon the surface of the ground, an upper and lower railing member pivotally connected betweenI each two adjacent posts for movement in a vertical plane, spaced apart openings in said railings adapted to receive upright members extending between said railings and removable fastening means cooperating with the lower railing and each upright member to hold each upright member in position in the upper and lower railings 4 said upright members being free to move vertically in the openings in the upper railings.

2. In a fence structure, the combination of spaced apart anchor posts adapted to be flrmly fastened to the ground, at least one intervening post between the spaced apart anchor posts and having a ground plate on the lower end thereof adapted to rest upon the surface of the ground, an upper and lower railing member connected by a hinge at each end thereof to each two adjacent posts, spaced apart openings in said railings adapted to receive upright members extending between said railings and removable fastening means cooperating with the lower railing and each upright member to hold each upright member in position in said railings said upright members being free to move vertically in the openings in the upper railing.

3. A fence structure as claimed in claim 2 in which the removable fastening means includes a tapered pin cooperating with a tapered opening extending through the lower railing and each upright member.

4. A fence structure as claimed in claim 2 in which the leaves of each hinge are fastened to a post and to the lower side of a railing and are connected by a removable pintle and the upper side of the railing above the hinge leaf is re lieved to permit free rotation of the railing in the vertical plane about the hinge pintle.

JOLLY L. MORRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 134,624 Anderson Jan. '7, 1873 1,002,641 Carney Sept. 5, 1911 

